A railway in Thailand (Photo: Samui Times) Bangkok (VNA) – The Government of Thailand on June 13 approved a proposal to build a double-track railway linking Tak and Nakhon Phanom provinces as part of the transport routes under the East-West Economic Corridor.
The government’s spokesperson Lieut. Gen. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the 902km railway would connect Tak province’s Mae Sot district with Nakhon Phanom in the northeast through Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan and Khon Kaen.
The railway was divided into three sections, a 250km stretch from Tak to Nakhon Sawan, a 291km section from Nakhon Sawan to Khon Kaen and a 355km route from Khon Kaen to Nakhon Phanom.
The project is likely to get funding from the 2019 fiscal year budget but its costs have yet to be estimated pending a feasibility study.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the decision was based on the results of the study, which suggested a route through Nakhon Sawan would have lower investment costs.
The construction costs would be higher if the railway runs through Phitsanulok province as it requires the building of a tunnel, he said.
The ministry is also considering a proposal to build an airport in Nakhon Sawan province, Arkhom added.-VNA
VNA
